Santa Shortage Hits Switzerland

Switzerland is facing a problem with not having enough Santas for Christmas events. The Santa Claus Guild in Bern, when speaking to 20 Minuten, revealed that they are overwhelmed with requests for Santa appearances at Christmas markets and other events. Some engagements had to be canceled because many older Santas are retiring, and younger people are not stepping up to take their place.

Aging Santas and Reluctant Younger Generations

Jürg Thrier, the president of the Samichlaus Switzerland interest group, explained to 20 Minuten that Santa guilds in all 26 Swiss cantons did not accept new members for years because they were already full. Now, with the older Santas retiring, there’s a shortage of younger people willing to become Santas.

Recruitment Challenges and a Limited Response

To address the issue, Santa societies in Zurich, Bern, and St. Gallen launched a campaign on Jobs.ch to attract new recruits. Unfortunately, the response has been limited, with only one person expressing interest so far. Another challenge is the training required to become a Santa, with trainees typically shadowing a seasoned professional as Schmutlzi for a year. The Santa Guild in Bern emphasized the limited capacity to train new Santas, causing delays for those interested.

Contemplating Gender Inclusivity in Santa Roles

To find a solution, some Saint Nicholas societies are considering allowing women to portray Schmutzli, the character that accompanies Santa and does not speak. Thrier suggested that women with deep voices could also play the role of Santa Claus. However, this idea has faced resistance from older associations and guilds, arguing that the voice is crucial in portraying Santa traditionally as an old man. Despite the divided opinions, Thrier believes that having women Santa Clauses could be a solution to the shortage of staff.